Media Release

3 August 2009

Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 Swine Flu - Update 123

This week marks 100 days of action to slow the spread of pandemic influenza virus in New Zealand; a hundred days since the Ministry of Health launched a major national response to contain the virus and slow its spread in the community.

It is a massive exercise which has involved agencies right across the Government and health sectors, who have been working together and have marshalled resources to implement the Pandemic Influenza Action Plan.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says this pandemic has touched almost every section of our community, from health professionals such as GPs, nurses and pharmacists, to employers, private businesses and families.

Mr Ryall says "At very short notice, our whole community has successfully pulled together, in a practical and sustained response to this influenza pandemic.We know that our health professionals and hospitals in particular have been under pressure, and have coped extremely well with the increased demand on top of the normal winter peaks.

"People from all walks of life have taken on board the health advice about not spreading the virus, and in doing so have helped slow the spread to others and reduce the pressure so that our health services can continue to treat those who are the sickest."

The virus was first identified in New Zealand on 25 April, in a group of travellers who had just returned to Auckland from Mexico. However its spread into the wider community was delayed for more than six weeks through an effective health and border containment operation, assisted by school closures and the voluntary isolation of suspected cases.

By early June, the first evidence of community spread was seen in Greater Auckland, Wellington, the Bay of Plenty and Canterbury. From there, the virus spread gradually into neighbouring regions, although some areas have shown little evidence of cases to date.

As the number of cases began to rise, so too did pressure on general practice, hospitals and Healthline. Some District Health Boards began prioritising resources and re-scheduling some elective and non-urgent surgery to ensure services could be provided for those patients with greatest need, including those seriously ill with pandemic influenza.

Health services report they are now managing better and some report fewer hospital admissions and less need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in recent days.

Mr Ryall says "It is too early to say whether this signals any weakening in pandemic influenza or whether we are seeing the normal fluctuation that you expect, particularly with a new virus. It is common for influenza numbers to rise and fall over several months and this pandemic may follow a similar pattern."

The weekly update of hospitalisations, ICU admissions and general practice surveillance will be provided tomorrow, giving a fuller picture.

Latest Numbers

The total number of confirmed cases of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu is 2855, up from 2810 yesterday.

The number of deaths from Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu is 14. The latest death is of a man in his 50s, who died in Christchurch last week. He had a number of underlying medical conditions.

Australian Situation

For the number of confirmed cases in Australia, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing website at:
http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/updates

International Update from the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is no longer issuing tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries.

This is because there are an increasing number of cases in many countries, including New Zealand, which is making it extremely difficult to
confirm laboratory testing in an accurate and timely manner. For more information about this reporting change go to the WHO website: http://www.who.int/en/

ENDS

For health information and advice, the public should call Healthline 0800 611 116

For latest updates on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu, visit http://www.moh.govt.nz

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For media queries related to this update, please call the National Health Coordination Centre, Communications Desk at +64 (04) 816 3660 or +64 (021) 243 6805 or email H1N1comms@moh.govt.nz